Police in California have arrested a father and his young son after the boy allegedly shot and killed another child. Arkete Davis, 53, reportedly sent his 10-year-old son out to his car to retrieve cigarettes, and that is where the boy allegedly found a gun. He reportedly took the gun out of the car and showed it to 10-year-old Keith "KJ" Frierson before allegedly shooting and killing him.
Today, Davis and his son are both in jail, while Frierson's family is grappling to understand how such a tragedy occurred.
More from CafeMom: Woman Allegedly Went 'Crazy' & Shot Infant Granddaughter in the Head
The incident happened in the middle of the afternoon.
According to a release posted to Facebook by the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office, Davis sent his young son to his car to get him cigarettes around 4:30 p.m. December 30. When the child got to the car, he allegedly "bragged that his father had a gun," the sheriff's department noted. KJ was reportedly in the parking lot of an apartment complex when he got shot.
The alleged shooter reportedly ran from the scene.
Witnesses told investigators that the suspect shot KJ one time, and allegedly ran into a nearby apartment, KCRA reported. When paramedics arrived, they attempted to give CPR to KJ, but he later died at an area hospital, according to the news outlet. His aunt, Erika, told the station he had just come outside to ride his bike.
"He was smart, very intelligent, kind, loving, respectful," she said, per KCRA. "He didn't deserve this. He still had a whole life to live."
Investigators believe Davis tried to discard the weapon.
The Sacramento County Sheriff's Office said investigators found the gun allegedly used in the shooting in a trash can. They believe Davis, who was reportedly not legally authorized to own a firearm, may have tried to throw away the gun to conceal potential evidence.
"The recovered firearm was also reported stolen in 2017," the sheriff's office noted in the statement on Facebook.
The tragic shooting shocked KJ's loved ones.
The young boy's godmother, Nina Trepagnier, created a GoFundMe page to help raise money for KJ's mother, Brittani. According to the fundraiser, the grieving mother lost her husband a year ago and is raising her children as a single mom. The fundraiser has brought in more than $11,500 of a $20,000 goal thus far.
"Today was meant for creating vision boards, but the day took a heart-wrenching turn. Brittani and I shared moments together talking all afternoon, her boys helping with groceries. Keith, affectionately called KJ, offered his assistance but all their chores was done, he innocently ask to go outside to enjoy his new Christmas bike — a joyful moment turned to sorrow," she wrote on the page. "In a devastating twist, he was shot at close range by a child who accessed a stolen firearm left unsecured in a car. Despite desperate attempts by neighbors, paramedics and doctors, KJ slipped away."
Donors shared their support for the family.
"My Condolences. I pray for peace and healing for your family. God Bless," one comment reads.
Someone else added, "So sorry for your loss. Heartbreaking to lose such a beautiful child. I am a member of Moms Demand Action – we are trying to reduce gun violence. So sorry for this poor baby and his loved ones."
More from CafeMom: Alabama Boy, 12, Has Confessed to Police That He Accidentally Shot & Killed His Mother
The alleged shooter and his father both face serious charges.
Per the sheriff's department, officials took the boy to the Sacramento County Youth Detention Facility, where he was charged with murder. His father was charged with multiple firearm-related felonies and accessory to murder after the fact. He is due in court on January 3 and is being held in the Sacramento County Jail on a $500,000 bond.
The motivation behind the shooting is unknown.
